Small business chugging along

While the overall jobs picture got uglier in July, small businesses continued to hire, though for smaller salaries, a survey by SurePayroll shows.

The survey showed the average small business increased in size by 0.4 percent, pushing hiring levels to a new peak for the year.

Small business salaries dropped by 0.3 percent during the month on average, meaning paychecks in the sector have fallen by 1 percent for the first seven months of 2008.

SurePayroll – an online payroll and payroll tax filing provider for small businesses – said the numbers show people can still find work in small businesses, but have to look hard for a job that pays well.